Reading can provide a much-needed break from digital doom scrolling. The only question is: what to read? Literaturensohn offers help! In September, Coco Meurer brought her eponymous Instagram account to Brunnenstaße. Only books she has herself read make it onto the shelf here. Curation. Curation. Curation. Since 2020, the book enthusiast has been recommending works by young, fierce, strong and female voices on her channel. She has developed three categories for her recommendations – from light holiday reads to philosophical hunks. Coco has now moved to Brunnenstrasse. And because she loves not just books, but creative work in all its forms, the shop regularly hosts events with creative partners. A workshop with crochet artist Mimo from Amigurumimo, whose cute figurines are also sold in the store, was fully booked in just a few minutes. In January, the Cologne-based Ben Tausend Tattoos will make a guest appearance. And if you’re planning to launch a novel, with her creative office, Coco also develops outstanding digital campaigns, covers and artworks. Literaturensohn is really worth a visit, even if your pile of books is already stacked high…

Verena Schwarz has been in charge of communications for international companies for many years, most recently for furniture brands. She also has a strong passion for culture and sport in all its forms.

Text: Verena Schwarz / Photos: Savannah van der Niet

Literaturensohn, Brunnenstr.34, 10115 Berlin–Mitte; map
Tue–Sat 11–19h

@literaturensohn

Rooty Plant Hub is why I love Berlin, a city that has countless hidden gems. Even after living here for four years, I keep discovering new things. The shop is located on Warthestrasse, a rather peculiar street, flanked on two sides by abandoned cemeteries overgrown with beautiful trees. It’s a stone’s throw from Tempelhofer Feld. I had cycled past the shop multiple times since I lived in the neighborhood, but never noticed that it was there. On this particular day, it had some new and interesting plants outside that caught my attention. I got into terrarium making after participating in a unique workshop with the Prinzessinnengarten Kollektiv just around the corner. The organizer recommended that I go to Der Holländer for terrarium plants. Standing in front of this shop, I thought it had the potential to provide the materials for my massive empty terrarium barrel.

Once inside, I was overwhelmed by the vast array of well-nurtured plants of all sizes. It’s a combination of plant, gift, and coffee shop, and even has a vegan lunch place within a tiny room. It’s owned by the lovely Shania from Hong Kong. You can see right away that she has a keen eye for quality. So, after your next visit to Tempelhofer Feld, make sure to visit Rooty, because love for plants is multiplied when shared.

Jeroen Otte runs the Berlin office of Koos, a global design and innovation agency. He moved from Amsterdam to Berlin 4 years ago. One might say he’s the only living soul that experiences the Berlin winters as “an upgrade”. One might also say Jeroen is a very optimistic person.

Text: Jeroen Otte / Photos: Rebecca Schatz

Rooty Plant Hub, Warthestr.4, 12051 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Thurs–Mon 11–18h30 & Fri 10h30–19h

@rootyplanthub